Color-by-number pictures in Spanish are a simple activity to reinforce color words and numbers for Spanish language learners. Older children can read the colors in the key (1-azul, 2-verde), and teachers or parents can read them to younger children. As children color the picture, the numbers and colors are repeated. The Spanish language is reinforced through the activity itself and also through interactions you have with your child as she colors. Here are links to [...]
Simon Says, or Simón dice in Spanish, teaches children words for body parts and can also teach common Spanish verbs and other vocabulary. The person who is “Simon” should do the actions as she calls them out. If the children are not sure of the Spanish, they can see the action and it clarifies the language. Children quickly learn the Spanish commands and can take the role of “Simon” too. There are several ways to [...]
Singing in Spanish as a part of daily routines is a great way for children to learn new Spanish vocabulary, grammar, and correct Spanish pronunciation. Movement is an important part of language learning. With simple songs for everyday activities, children associate the Spanish words they are using with their actions. The Spanish verb guardar means to put something away. In many Spanish-speaking countries, children sing this song as they pick up their toys. The kind [...]
This is an entertaining activity in any language. At jacksonpollock.org your child (and you!) can paint in the style of the American artist Jackson Pollock and practice colors in Spanish. Move the mouse over the screen to create a drip painting. Click the mouse to change color. Say each new color in Spanish! Use the space bar to clear the screen. Your paintings will use these basic colors: black – negro blue – azul brown [...]
Click here for pictures of clothes to color. The pictures are labeled in Spanish and are intended for native Spanish speakers. They are from the site conmishijos (which means with my children) – a website from Bayard Publishing. Bayard is a European company, so a few words are used in Spain, but are not common in Latin America. However, most of the words are general and used in all Spanish-speaking countries. Coloring and drawing are [...]
My children played this game in Mexico when they were little, and my daughter Maggie also played it as a volunteer at El Centro, a Hispanic community center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Children love the suspense of this game – knowing that they will be chased, but not knowing when. The game reinforces Spanish clothes vocabulary and children produce natural, correct Spanish sentences as they sing as a group. To play, the children join hands and [...]
These two picture books are fun to read, use clothing vocabulary, and also use complete Spanish sentences rather than just labeling words. Both books have illustrations that make the text clear so children can learn Spanish. Children learn the most Spanish from picture books that use complete sentences. A language is much more, and much more complicated, than individual words. Reading with your child is an opportunity to expose her to words used in context, [...]
Where do all those catalogs come from? Fortunately, you can put them to use when you speak Spanish with your child. Activities with pictures are a good way to practice Spanish vocabulary, and catalogs and magazines have lots of pictures that can be used to teach children the Spanish words for clothes. In my family, we simply cut out pictures and glued them to 3×5 index cards. A few catalogs (or magazines or advertising inserts), [...]
Endless laundry? Words for clothes are some of a child’s earliest vocabulary. Getting dressed and undressed, folding clothes, putting clothes away – all of these activities tie language to movement and context. You can teach your child Spanish words for clothing by incorporating Spanish into these routines. It is best to introduce new vocabulary in small quantities. Introduce a few new Spanish words and then when your child is familiar with them, introduce a few [...]
This traditional Spanish children’s song is about a monkey who likes his lettuce ironed, without any wrinkles, and with lime and salt. The song is very short, and children learn it easily. The first line – A mi mono, le gusta la lechuga (My monkey likes lettuce) – teaches children the correct structure of the Spanish verb gustar when they are referring to a third person (or monkey). They learn to use le, and to [...]
¿Qué te gusta? teaches children the common Spanish verb gustar through repetition and lovely illustrations which make the meaning of the text clear. Repetition is important in teaching Spanish to children. They need to be exposed to vocabulary and grammatical structures over and over again to truly learn them. Picture books with patterns present the same structures with different illustrations and associations, and can help children internalize the meaning and structure of Spanish phrases. ¿Qué te [...]
Children learn Spanish grammar and vocabulary by hearing correct grammatical structures. Reading the questions that follow the photograph, you can help your child learn Spanish question words and verbs. Look at the picture with your child and read the questions that follow. Answer the questions together. You can often understand the main idea without understanding each word. To learn Spanish, children need to develop the ability and confidence to listen (or read) for the main idea. [...]